Contribution of objective and subjective attributes to the variation in the whiteness and brightness of commercial mohair sale lots

Colour properties are measured prior to the sale of merino wool as they are of commercial importance when greasy wool is sold and when wool is dyed. With the paucity of knowledge of the colour properties of commercial mohair, this study aimed to identify and quantify the factors affecting the brightness (Y) and yellowness (Y-Z) values of commercial lots of Australian mohair. The research database comprised 520 sale lots (>500,000 kg mohair), which had tristimulus tests, and was sold during the period 2001–2009. Mohair was subjectively classed and sale lots objectively tested using international standard methods for mean fibre diameter (MFD, μm), fibre diameter coefficient of variation (%), International Wool Testing Organization (IWTO) clean wool base (IWTO yield, %w/w), vegetable matter (VM, %w/w) and the tristimulus values X, Y and Z (T units). The tristimulus values of Australian mohair were affected by the objective measurements of MFD, VM%, the subjective classing of stain, cotting, kemp and length and by the year and selling season. Variation in Y was more easily predicted with 90.5% of variance explained by the best model compared with variation in Y-Z, where the best model explained 51.6% of the total variance. Visually assessed properties of the mohair were very important in separating mohair of different Y properties, accounting for almost 80% of the total variance, but were far less important in accounting for the variance in Y-Z, accounting for about 9–10% of the total variance. The most important effects on the Y of mohair were associated with subjectively determined fault categories determined before the sale of mohair. In particular, stain fault explained about two-thirds of the variance in brightness of mohair sale lots. Stained mohair had much lower brightness than mohair free of stain but stain fault explained very little of the variation in yellowness of mohair sale lots. The extent of the differences in tristimulus values between seasons and years were not large for Y but were more important for yellowness (Y-Z), and these effects are likely to be of commercial importance. Generally, brightness decreased and yellowness increased as MFD increased up to about 30 μm. Both cotting and kemp fault were associated with reduced brightness and increased yellowness. The effects of VM% on tristimulus values were small. IWTO yield was associated with changes in tristimulus values, but in the best model, IWTO yield was not a significant determinant. This study indicates that commercial Australian fleece (nonfaulted) mohair was essentially white. Faulted mohair on the other hand exhibited poorer colour characteristics. The mohair subjectively identified as stained prior to sale comprised all the mohair which would be regarded as not white, and this investigation indicates that the effect of staining is on the brightness of mohair rather than the Y-Z measurement. Unlike the situation with merino wool, there was little relationship between the naturally occurring contaminants, as measured by the IWTO washing yield, and either Y or Y-Z.

Use of reduced concentrations of tetrazolium solutions for the evaluation of the viability of peanut seed lots

The possibility of reducing the concentration of the working solution used in the tetrazolium test for peanut seeds (Arachis hypogaea L.) with or without seedcoats was studied. Tetrazolium solutions of different concentrations (0.05%, 0.075% and 0.1%) were tested at the temperatures of 35 and 40 degrees C, for determining the time needed for the seeds to reach proper staining. The efficiency of the selected treatments in evaluating the viability potential of the seeds was determined by comparing the results of the tetrazolium tests with those obtained by standard germination (using sand and rolled paper towel as substrata) and seedling emergence in the field tests. Staining the seeds without seedcoat in 0.05% tetrazolium solution for three hours at 40 degrees C yielded efficient results. on the other hand, reduced concentrations can be employed in the staining process of seeds with seedcoat; however, this method requires a higher consumption of tetrazolium salt, longer staining time as well as a higher ability and availability of time for embryo evaluation, since the cross-cutting of seeds is much more difficult in the presence of the seedcoat and the occurrence of damage to the outer surface of the cotyledons cannot be determined.

Discrimination of soybean seed lots by multivariate exploratory techniques

Physiological potential characterization of seed lots is usually performed by germination and vigor tests; however, the choice of a single test does not reflect such potential, once each test assesses seeds of differentiated mode. Multivariate techniques allow understanding structural dependence contained in each variable, as well as characterize groups of seed lots according to specific standards. The study aimed at evaluating variability among soybean seed lots and discriminate these lots by multivariate exploratory techniques as function of seed vigor. Experiment was performed with 20 soybean seed lots (10 lots cv. BRS Valiosa RR and 10 lots cv. M-SOY 7908 RR). Seed physiological potential was assessed by testing for: germination (standard, and under different water availability); vigor (accelerated aging and electrical conductivity); and field seedling emergence. Cluster analysis of seed lots, as well as Principal Component Analysis was performed using data obtained on all tests. Multivariate techniques allowed stratifying seed lots into two distinct groups. Principal Component Analysis showed that values obtained for variables: field seedling emergence, accelerated aging, and germination under different water availability were linked to BRS Valiosa RR; while to variables germination and electrical conductivity, were linked to M-SOY 7908 RR.

SEQUENTIAL SAMPLING AND MICROSATELLITES FOR EVALUATION OF THE GENETIC QUALITY IN CORN SEEDS LOTS

In the seed production system, genetic purity is one of the fundamental requirements for its commercialization. The present work had the goal of determined the sample size for genetic purity evaluation, in order to protect the seed consumer and the producer and to evaluate the sensitivity of microsatellite technique for discriminating hybrids from their respective relatives and for detecting mixtures when they are present in small amounts in the samples. For the sequential sampling, hybrid seeds were marked and mixed in with the seed lots, simulating the following levels of contamination: 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 6.0%. After this, groups of 40 seeds were taken in sequence, up to a maximum of 400 seeds, with the objective of determining the quantity of seeds necessary to detect the percentage of mixture mentioned above. The sensitivity of microsatellite technique was evaluated by mixing different proportions of DNA from the hybrids with their respective seed lines. For the level of mixture was higher than 1:8 (1P1:8P2; 8P1:1P2), the sensitivity of the marker in detecting different proportions of the mixture varied according to the primer used. In terms of the sequential sampling, it was verified that in order to detect mixture levels higher than 1% within the seed lot- with a risk level for both the producer and the consumer of 0.05- the size of the necessary sample was smaller than the size needed for the fixed sample size. This also made it possible to reduce costs, making it possible to use microsatellites to certify the genetic purity of corn seeds lots.

Die Flucht Lots [Illustration]

Schirmer

Die Flucht Lots [Illustration] : Raphael-Schule

Scan von Monochrom-Mikroform

Underground parking structure built with deep foundations and vault precast elements in Spain

In many cases the only places available for the construction of a new car park are the existing streets or roads. These streets may also have important or historic buildings very close to the structure, which means that they cannot be disturbed in any way during the construction of the parking structure. In many cases the only places available for the construction of a new car park are the existing streets or roads. These streets may also have important or historic buildings very close to the structure, which means that they cannot be disturbed in any way during the construction of the parking structure.

COST Action Urban Agriculture Europe Training School «Urban agriculture inside the city:alternatives for vacant lots and public space»

The third Training School of the Action took place in Vitoria-Gasteiz (Basque country, Spain) from 24th to 26th September 2014. Vitoria-Gateiz has experimented an important urban outgrowth in the last decade, mainly through the planning and development of two new neighborhoods, Zabalgana and Salburúa, situated at the eastern and western border of the city, by the Greenbelt. These new development are well-equipped and designed according to sustainability principles. Nevertheless, among the main problems they present is their over-dimensioned public space, which creates some areas lacking enough density and mix of uses. On the other hand it is very expensive for the municipality to maintain these public space with the high Vitorian urban standards for public space. The proposed solution for this problem is a strategy of "re-densification" through the insertion of new uses The debate has arisen about which are the most adequate uses to insert in order to get an increasing of urban vitality, specially considering that housing has reached its peak and that Vitoria-Gasteiz is well served with social and sport amenities. The main goal of the TS was to offer an opportunity for the reflection about how urban agriculture might be an optimal alternative for the re-qualifying of this over-dimensioned public space in the new neighbourhoods, especially considering it synergic potential as a tool for production, leisure and landscaping, including the possibility of energy crops within the limits of urban space. Continuity with rural and natural surrounding area through alternatives for urban fringe at the small scale is a relevant issue to be considered as well within the reflection. Taking Zabalgana neighbourhood as a practical field for experiment, the Training School is conceived as a practical and intensive design charrette to be held during a whole day after two days of local knowledge-deepening through field visits and presentations.

The location and design of safe and convenient park and ride lots. Final report.

California Department of Transportation, Sacramento

Parking management tactics. Volume 3: reference guide.

Federal Highway Administration, Urban Planning Division, Washington, D.C.